Michigan football vs. Nebraska: Prediction, Odds, Spread and Over/Under for College Football Week 5

Michigan football will hit the road for the first time this season and here’s a breakdown of the odds, how to watch, and more for the Wolverines vs. Nebraska.

Following the Big Ten opener and a competitive game against Rutgers, Michigan football is going on the road for back-to-back trips.

The first is to Nebraska. Nebraska is 2-2 and has won two straight games, but those wins were over Louisiana Tech and Northern Illinois.

First-year head coach Matt Rhule has established a new identity. It might be hard to believe, but Nebraska leads the Big Ten in rushing yards (234), as well as rushing defense, allowing just 46 yards per game and fewer than two yards per carry.

Rutgers was in a similar spot last week. The Scarlet Knights were the Big Ten leader in rushing yards going into the game against Michigan, but the Scarlet Knights only got 77 yards.

Yet, the last time Michigan played at Nebraska, the game came down to the wire, and this Huskers squad won’t be a pushover. They’re tough. They aren’t as talented as Michigan, but they are well-coached and it will be anything but a cakewalk.

Michigan football vs. Nebraska odds

Michigan football is currently a 17-point favorite against Nebraska according to DraftKings. The Wolverines opened as an 18-point favorite. The over/under is 39. The money line is +625, as well as -950 for Michigan.

Michigan vs. Nebraska How to watch

Date: Sept. 30
Game Time: 3:30 PM EST
Venue: Lincoln Memorial Stadium
How to Watch: Fox | Fubo TV 

Michigan vs. Nebraska players to watch

Michigan

The key to winning this game to me is going to be Blake Corum. If Michigan wants to be a national championship team, you need to be able to run the ball, regardless of opponent.

Georgia is able to do that and Michigan fotoball has to reach that level. Nebraska will be a test in that regard. Their front seven is big and they tackle well. The offensive line has also struggled at times but has been better with LaDarius Henderson.

Nebraska

For Nebraska, it feels like the quarterback is going to play a huge role. Jeff Sims was the starter for the first two weeks and struggled with turnovers. He got injured against Colorado and didn’t play outside of a snap against Northern Illinois.

Haarberg isn’t known as a great passer. But he’s got four touchdowns and zero interceptions this season. He also rushed for three touchdowns and has plus 20-yard touchdown runs in two straight games.

The Huskers are essentially using some option principles and love to run the quarterback. Haarberg is averaging 6.5 yards per rush and has 272 yards including 253 yards the past two weeks. He’ll have to have a similar performance if Nebraska is going to pull the upset.

Michigan football vs. Nebraska prediction

I wouldn’t take this game lightly at all. Lincoln Memorial Stadium is going to be loud. It might not be as loud as the night game in 2021, but I expect a similar game.

This Nebraska team isn’t about flash. It’s tough. It held Minnesota and Colorado under 60 yards rushing and held Colorado to zero points with a few minutes left in the first half before Sims turned the ball over twice inside his own 30.

This is by far the best defense Michigan has faced this season. We’ll see how J.J. McCarthy, Corum and the offensive line handle it.

However, as Jim Harbaugh said, a good defense travels pretty well and Michigan fooball just had more playmakers on offense, which leads to a 27-16 win.